Thirteen-year-old Liam Dennehy Quinn has rapidly deteriorating scoliosis. Liam has been hospital bound for the past five and a half weeks. His curvature was at 85° in November but has had no spinal review during his five weeks in hospital. Liam has been given a surgery date of 30 May but his mother Pamela says he is deteriorating by the day and running out of time. Liam has to use oxygen and has lost the ability to use his chair. His mother cannot understand him now when he speaks because his spine is pressing so hard against his lungs. Pamela says that 30 May may seem like it is just around the corner but it is too far away when you are in Liam's dire situation. She is on a knife-edge trying to keep Liam stable for surgery, fearing that he will pick up an infection that could prevent that surgery. Liam cannot wait any longer. Every day counts. He needs his emergency surgery now. I ask the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, to intervene.

I thank the Deputy for raising the very important case of Liam. It is one with which I am very familiar because I have heard from many of Liam's family and friends. Many of them have written to me, as have many people in his community. Of course, it is a case that has garnered, quite rightly, much public attention. While I am reluctant to talk too much about any individual patient on the record of the Dáil, I do know that Liam was admitted to hospital while he awaits spinal surgery. This course of action was recommended by the doctors and nurses who are caring for him and who are due to operate on him later this month. This is an extraordinarily anxious time for his parents, his family and for him and I wish them the very best. Liam had a consultation with his consultant in April and as the Deputy rightly said, his surgery is scheduled for two weeks' time. The spinal assistant director of nursing has been in contact with Liam's mum this month and has explained the preoperative pathway.

I have been assured that the spinal team, comprising the doctors and nurses, will support Pam and Liam through the surgery. They continue to closely clinically monitor Liam's situation.